This is an optional Innovation & Leadership (IL) credit. IL credits recognize institutions that are seeking innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and demonstrating sustainability leadership in ways that are not otherwise captured in STARS. Scoring in the Innovation and Leadership section is capped at 10 bonus points total.
Credit Language
IL 38: Avoided Spend – version 3.0
Questions & Answers
How has this credit changed between STARS Version 2 and Version 3?
This is a new bonus credit in STARS. A comprehensive list of differences can be found in the STARS 3.0 Summary of changes.
How do we estimate avoided spend?
Avoided spend can be estimated by determining the current market value of:
- Normalized reductions in the volume of specific goods purchased from a baseline.
- Goods that are reused on-site (e.g., furniture) as if they were purchased new.
- Disposable goods that are displaced by reusable alternatives (e.g., based on the number of times reusable items are used where disposable items have been the standard).
Suggestions for Institutions
- Work with your institution’s procurement office and/or similar to determine whether avoided spend tracking is in place, and/or to consider implementing such tracking.
Potential Data Quality Issues
- Documentation on avoided spend from within the previous three years must be provided in each area with a Yes response.